Lebanon Rescue Department begins holiday toy drive

The Rescue Department has been helping hand out toys and coats to Lebanon children for the past 16 years after the program was started by Rescue Chief Gil Gerrish in 1996.

Last year, the department added a visit by Santa to the houses of about 230 Lebanon children on the two days before Christmas, which they say was amazing for the children and families, but for the responders as well. To see the looks on the children’s faces was amazing, wrote Rescue Assistant Chief Jason Cole in a recent statement.

“When we pulled up in the ambulance and had the kids yell, ‘Santa is here’ and just see their smiles will live with the responders for many years to come,” said Cole.

This year, rescue personnel will again collect new, unwrapped toys to help children in town who have suffered a traumatic event, such as the loss of a loved one. The Rescue Department does this in addition to Operation Santa, which provides a toy to any child in town who would like a free visit from Santa. Families who have suffered a traumatic event get a bag of toys to help through the difficult holiday season thanks to the generosity of townspeople.

Residents who contribute toys to help Lebanon children can drop them off at the following locations:

The Rescue Department started collecting toys on Nov. 3 and has received a lot of great donations already. In a statement, Cole thanked Southern Maine ATV Club, which made a large donation of toys after its annual toy run on Nov. 4. He also thanks to the York County Trail Riders who held their inaugural toy ride this year and donated all the toys to the Rescue Department for Operation Santa.

This year, Santa comes early to Lebanon for children to come see him and tell him what they would like for Christmas, while also helping raise funds for Operation Santa. On Saturday, Dec. 8, from 9 a.m. until noon, Santa will visit Stokewoods Diner at 1001 Carl Broggi Highway in Center Lebanon, Maine to help the Operation Santa program. Children can come in and sit on his lap and tell him what they would like for Christmas. The owners of Stokewoods have generously offered to donate a percentage of all food sales that morning to help Operation Santa. The snow date will be Sunday, Dec. 9, from 9 a.m. until noon.

Toys are needed for newborns to teenagers.

Last year, due to the generosity of the residents, the Rescue Department was able to help 225 kids through Operation Santa and about 20 families with the toys for families who have suffered a traumatic event. Donations will be accepted through Dec. 23.

Families looking to have Santa stop in with a toy on Friday evening, Dec. 21, or Saturday, Dec. 22, can email operationsanta@lebanonrescue.com or fill out a form at www.lebanonrescue.com. Forms are also available at the town office.